Kiersten Niles, who uses a service dog for seizure alert and hearing assistance, says she was refused service at Dunkin' Donuts in Manchester, New Hampshire last month. Ms. Niles was told that her service dog, Loretta, was not welcome in the store.
After Niles was told to leave with Loretta, she called Judi Bayly, of Assistance Canine Education and Support Inc., an advocate of service dogs. Judi's dog, Crystal, helps her with mobility and detects health changes. Judi and Kiersten returned to Dunkin' Donuts together, armed with a brochure showing that state law and the Americans with Disabilities Act grant public access to service dogs assisting persons with disabilities.
At that point, says Niles, she and Bayly were told to leave or face trespassing charges.
Despite a statement from Dunkin Donuts claiming that the franchisee has "reached out" to the women, Niles and Bayly say no one from the chain contacted them. If they do not receive an apology, the women say they may take the matter to court.
